Design for a Stage Set at the Opéra, Paris 1830 - 1890

This stage set design for the Paris Opéra was made by Eugène Cicéri, most likely in the mid-19th century, using graphite on paper. Cicéri’s design is all about surface. Through the skillful use of graphite, he coaxes a range of tones from the paper, suggesting rough-hewn stone. Consider the labor that would have gone into producing the stage set itself, translating Cicéri's quick sketch into a full-scale, three-dimensional reality. The Opéra employed armies of skilled carpenters, painters, and riggers. These workers would have been responsible for realizing the artist's vision, transforming a drawing into a spectacle. In its own way, this unassuming drawing bears witness to the vast industry of illusion that was – and remains – central to the culture of Paris. Remember that even a humble sketch like this one is evidence of a larger system of production, involving many hands and many skills.